Health Canada is aware of reports, including on social media, that reference safety issues with the use of ibuprofen in COVID-19 cases. There is no scientific evidence that establishes a link between ibuprofen, or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and the worsening of COVID-19 symptoms. The Government of Canada is monitoring the situation closely, including...
Category: Advice
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COVID-19
The first two cases in Peel Region were tested positive on March 4th who were a couple aboard Grand Princess Cruise Ship from February 11- 21 out of San Fransisco. Both are recovering at home in self-isolation. The risk to the public remains low. There is no evidence that COVID-19 is circulating in the community....
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Certain Metformin diabetes drugs recalled due to the presence of NDMA
Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. is recalling six lots of its prescription RAN-Metformin drug from the Canadian market. Company testing identified two lots (#AJY8006A and #AJY8007A) with levels of NDMA above what is considered acceptable if the drug were to be taken over a lifetime. The company is recalling an additional four lots (#AJY8005A, #AJY8005B, #AJY8008A...
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Update on 2019-nCoV
Canada has had 4 and Ontario 3 confirmed cases as of Feb 3, 2020. This are 29 cases under investigation in Ontario. There were no cases in Peel Region. Worldwide, 17485 confirmed cases and 362 deaths have been reported to date. Airborne droplet and contact precautions are highly recommended. If you have respiratory symptoms and...
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Preliminary determination of a novel coronavirus identified in Wuhan, China
On December 31, 2019, a cluster of pneumonia cases was reported associated with a live seafood market in Wuhan, China. Some cases were critically ill. To date, there are no suspected cases in Canada. Cases presented with high fever, difficulty breathing, and bilateral lung infiltrates on chest radiograph. There have been no reports of spread...
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Health Canada warns Canadians about U-Dream herbal sleep-aid products after tests detect a substance similar to a prescription insomnia drug, which may pose serious health risks.
Health Canada is advising Canadians that it has tested several U-Dream Lite and U-Dream Full Night herbal sleep-aid products and has found that they contain a substance similar to the prescription drug zopiclone, which may pose serious health risks. The Department has suspended all of the company’s U-Dream and U-Dreams product licences, which means it...
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Caution when taking Gabapentin or Pregabalin with Opioids
Health Canada is advising Canadians about the increased risk of opioid overdose and serious side effects when taking gabapentin (e.g., Neurontin) or pregabalin (e.g., Lyrica) with an opioid. HMC
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Some EpiPen and EpiPen Jr auto-injectors may be difficult to remove from their carrier tubes.
Pfizer Canada has advised Health Canada that, in a very small number of cases, some EpiPen (0.3 mg) and EpiPen Jr (0.15 mg) auto-injector devices may not slide out of their carrier tube easily, or at all. Although the chance of this occurring is very rare, failure to administer epinephrine as soon as possible during an...
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Health Canada assessing NDMA in ranitidine
Health Canada is informing Canadians that it is aware that the impurity N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) has been detected in some ranitidine drugs. Health Canada is closely assessing the issue in collaboration with other regulators internationally, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency. The Department will take action as needed, and will keep...
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West Nile Virus
WNV is a mosquito-borne disease, endemic in Peel region since 2001. In 2018, there were 137 human WNV cases in Ontario; 6 of these were in Peel region. Peel region has not had any cases this year. However, we expect increased WNV activity in the coming weeks. The number of human WNV cases and positive mosquito pools...
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U.S. Recorded 75 New Measles Cases Last Week
(Reuters) – The United States recorded 75 new measles cases last week, taking confirmed cases for the year so far to 839, the worst outbreak since 1994. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the number of cases of the highly contagious and sometimes deadly disease rose by 9.8% in the week ended...
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Screen for Colon Cancer !
Colorectal Cancer Canada(CCC) states Colorectal Cancer (CRC) deaths are continuing to decline in Canada. This is likely due to improvements in treatment and diagnosis. The decline in CRC death rates are consistent with a relatively large contribution from screening and with a smaller impact of risk factor reductions. CRC develops from precancerous polyps. Screening tests...
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Exposure in Peel to a confirmed case of measles
Peel Public Health is issuing an alert that there has been an exposure to a confirmed case of measles within Peel Region. People who were on the following flights and in the following locations on February 22, 2019, may have been exposed to measles: Cathay Pacific flight CX5249, from Siem Reap, Cambodia to Hong Kong, China...
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Exposure in Peel to a Confirmed Case of Measles
Peel Public Health is issuing an alert that there has been an exposure to a confirmed case of measles within Peel Region. People who were on the following flights and in the following locations on January 27, 2019, may have been exposed to measles: Lufthansa flight LH-470, from Frankfurt to Toronto Air Canada flight AC-834/LH 6829...
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CDC: Top HPV-Associated Cancer Is Now Oropharyngeal
Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is now the most common HPV-associated cancer in the United States, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that covers the years 1999 to 2015. During that period, cervical cancer dropped from being the top HPV-associated cancer and oropharyngeal SCC took its place...
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Prostate Cancer Screening: No Effect on Overall Mortality
Routine prostate-specific antigen (PSA)-based screening for prostate cancer remains controversial, as the debate continues over the bank between potential benefits and potential harm. A new systematic review and meta-analysis has found that at best, prostate cancer screening using a PSA blood test leads to a small reduction in disease-specific mortality over 10 years, but it...
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Protect yourself against the flu.
Getting the flu shot is your best defence: It is free in Ontario, safe and recommended for everyone aged 6 months and older. Wash your hands often: Even after getting the flu shot, washing with soap and water for at least 15 seconds helps keep the virus from spreading. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer...
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Health products manufactured by Professional Botanicals Inc. may pose serious health risks
Health Canada is warning that all products manufactured by Professional Botanicals Inc. may pose serious health risks. The company is a contract manufacturer that also operates under the name Healthy Botanicals Inc. HMC
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Health Canada concludes that there are no new safety concerns with sunscreen products
Through its safety review, Health Canada has concluded that there are no new safety concerns with any sunscreen products. However, the Department found that, on rare occasions, mild to moderate skin reactions may develop in individuals who have an allergy or sensitivity to one or more ingredients in sunscreen products. HMC
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Health Canada reminds Canadians of the risks of decorative contact lenses
Health Canada is reminding consumers that decorative contact lenses pose health risks. It’s important to use these lenses safely. Decorative contact lenses licensed by Health Canada are assessed for safety, effectiveness and quality. Using unlicensed decorative contact lenses could pose a risk to your health. HMC